Evaluating the Australian Defence Force Environmental Management System: A Case Study of Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland

Abstract

The integration of environmental management into military activities has become a growing concern for defence sectors internationally. As one of the largest landholders in Australia, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) recognises its responsibilities in environmental management, and the ISO14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) is widely used. Using Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Queensland, as an example, this thesis examines the operation of the ADF EMS and its effectiveness. SWBTA is both a significant military training area and an important environmental protection area. It is both essential and difficult to maintain a sustainable environment in the area. This thesis adopted the ISO14031 Environmental Performance Evaluation (EPE) to develop an environmental performance indicator framework by selecting a set of environmental performance indicators (EPIs) specific to SWBTA. Relevant data were collected by various methods. Field studies were conducted at SWBTA and in the surrounding areas, together with observations of the military exercises. SWBTA stakeholders, both military and civilian, were extensively interviewed, and questionnaire surveys administered to military-exercise participants and the general public. The initial EPIs were ranked by SWBTA experts to produce a prioritised indicator set for ADF environmental management at SWBTA. The combination of the EMS and the EPE using the EPI framework provided a systematic evaluation of the ADF EMS at SWBTA. Several key issues were further analysed, such as legislation and policy compliance, environmental risk assessment, environmental awareness training and stakeholder participation. Based on multidisciplinary research and analysis, this study concluded that, overall, the ADF EMS was effective, with a high level of environmental performance at SWBTA. The ADF has complied with all relevant legislation and policies. Military activities at SWBTA, therefore, accorded well with environmental management objectives. Environmental awareness training for exercise participants and stakeholder participation were considered by respondents to be effective. The EPI framework provided by this study should be a useful means for future environmental planning and performance assessment. Recommendations were finally provided on several aspects, including environmental impact assessment, data and information collection, environmental monitoring and communication, and integrated environmental management, that should help to ensure that the EMS remains an effective tool for sustainable environmental management of military activities at SWBTA